The Darkness Read online

  The freighter began to turn and Milo saw a flash of light as the port side engine shorted out, spraying hot metal out into space. The Imperial craft fired again, shots glancing across the freighter’s bow.

  Then Lina yelled as the target locked on, the circle flashing red. She slammed her fist down on the panel and Milo felt the Moveable Feast shake around them. Laser bolts flashed overhead, gleaming white. He grabbed Lina’s hand.

  Both bolts struck the Imperial craft dead center, flames rippling outward. The starboard engine erupted, taking the main gun port with it. The ship began to roll, spitting fire as it tumbled away from the fleeing freighter.

  Lina leapt to her feet, grabbing Milo as hard as she could. Over her shoulder he saw the Imperial craft, thrusters firing as it struggled to right itself.

  Then in the light of the far-off sun he saw the old freighter turning, leaving a trail of sparkling dust as it limped back toward them. He breathed a deep sigh of relief and let himself be hugged.

  MIRA BRIDGER knelt beside Davin, shining a small flashlight into one eye, then the other. “Twice would be unfortunate,” she said. “But getting yourself knocked out three times? That’s just careless.”

  The Lasat grunted irritably, swaying in his seat and struggling to focus.

  “He saved our lives, though,” Milo said, putting a hand on Davin’s arm. “So hopefully it was worth it.”

  “It sure was,” Ephraim Bridger said, crossing the low cargo bay of the Sunburst. He smiled down at the children, his eyes twinkling. “Now let’s get out of here before he has to do it again.”

  As the cockpit door slid open, Lina looked up. Past Ephraim’s retreating back she saw the Moveable Feast still adrift in space, a lifeless gray hulk receding as they powered away. The wounded Imperial transport had drawn closer and was attempting to lock on to the Shade’s ship.

  Lina slapped her head. “We totally forgot,” she said. “Captain Mondatha. She’s still stuck in that storage locker!”

  “Let her rot there,” Davin snarled.

  “I’m sure the stormtroopers will let her out,” Mira said. “Though I don’t know how this Captain Korda will react when he finds out you two got away. And his precious Crater, too.”

  The droid lay against the wall, plugged into the nearest power socket. He was still groggy, but Lina saw light slowly seeping back into his golden eyes.

  “Who do you think’s going to be in the most trouble”—Milo grinned—“Stel or the Shade?”

  “They’ll all be in trouble if those spiders jump ship.” Lina laughed. “Honestly, they were the worst.”

  “They weren’t so bad,” Milo said. “They were just doing what spiders do. Finding food and a warm place to nest.”

  Davin shuddered. “If I never see one of those critters again in my life, it’ll be too soon,” he said, reaching up to scratch his enormous bald head. “Honestly, when they were all over me I thought that was it. I thought I’d never—aagh!”

  He jumped up on his chair with panic on his face. From his shirt pocket protruded a pair of shiny silver legs.

  The alien reached out, clearly intending to punch himself in the chest. But before he could make a move, the spider had sprung free and was scampering down his leg.

  “Get it!” Milo shouted, moving to cut the creature off.

  Lina leapt for it, stamping with both feet. The spider wove between them, fleeing desperately.

  “Don’t let it get away,” Mira called out. “Watch it, there it goes!”

  The spider doubled back, legs skittering. A panel in the wall had been removed for repairs, exposing the ship’s innards. If the spider made it that far, Lina knew, they’d never be able to catch it without tearing the Sunburst to pieces.

  Milo threw himself down, but the creature scuttled free of his grasping hands. Lina watched in horror as it closed the distance to the loose panel, preparing to spring.

  Then a dark shape bounded out of nowhere, leaping on the spider and snatching it up with long-clawed hands. Morq stuffed the spider ravenously into his beak and swallowed. Lina saw a pair of silver legs jutting from the Kowakian monkey-lizard’s mouth, then it was gone.

  “Morq!” Milo cried out joyfully, opening his arms wide. The little monkey-lizard sprang into them, nuzzling his beak against the boy’s neck. “Why didn’t you tell me he was on board?” Milo asked Mira.

  “We didn’t know,” Mira admitted. “He must have stowed away. Crafty little critter.”

  Milo clutched Morq to him, and Lina couldn’t remember the last time she’d seen her brother so happy. Perhaps their luck was starting to change.

  She looked up at Mira, who was watching the boy with kind eyes.

  “Thanks for coming to get us,” Lina said. “I mean, I know you came for Crater, too, and what’s in his head. But you saved our lives. We’ll never be able to repay you.”

  Mira shook her head. “You’ll never have to,” she said. “And we didn’t come for Crater. Well, we did, but only because we like him. We like you, too. Us rebels have to stick together, right?”

  “Right,” Lina said.

  “Now you should both sit down, because I have something to tell you,” Mira continued. Milo did as she asked. Morq perched on Milo’s shoulder, chattering to himself.

  “We’re on our way back to Lothal,” Mira told them. “Just before we left, we received a transmission from a friend of ours with connections inside the Empire. He thinks he may know where they’re keeping your parents.”

  Lina took Milo’s hand. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Could it be true?

  She looked up at Mira, who smiled and nodded slowly. “I believe this is a good lead,” she said. “You should believe it, too.”

  There was a shout from the cockpit. “Buckle up back there,” Ephraim called out. “I’m about to make the jump to lightspeed.”

  Lina’s hands shook as she strapped the belt around her waist. She clutched Milo as tightly as she could. The ship lurched and she heard a great rushing in her head.

  They were on the move.

  TO BE CONTINUED IN

  STAR WARS

  ADVENTURES IN WILD SPACE

  Book Five: THE COLD